UBB.threads Forums Uniform & Accessories The Honor Ring Forum Period Dies

well,, getting back to dies..

This is a US die... From the 1930s... The cartouche is U shaped on the die. But when on the rounding mandrel it will be flat!

So we have 19 on one side and 3 on the other. Depending on the year the final number I think would be cut on to the working die... Old and in good condition... These were usually stored in very heavy cardboard box or usually wood with the corresponding number on the outside of box..

Heres a nice die I missed getting recently.. I have a budget I spend on dies. [unless its something really special] This went over so some other lucky collector got it..

In great condition. WW1, showing the US Doughboy uniform. 100 years old! These dies were usually kept in wood boxes and often kept under lock and key in a special die room..
The shield on the cartouche was a popular design in WW1.. Notice the shield is curved. This is so when rounded it will become flat...

I had the chance to pick up 2 dies recently.. ALL 3 are working dies and all 3 are damaged..

They were wrapped in paper with other dies that said 1930 and had some numbers. Pretty sure they are from the US..

I think this one is damaged from over usage,,or improper materials in the 2 weak areas..

The first one:

this one too, I'd say over usage. This could have had enamel on the sides [?]


here's the 2nd one:

This one,,,,catastrophic damage!! When being pressed it either made a loud noise and when ram went up the broken piece just fell out. OR,,might have been a chance when this 'went' a big piece / chip went flying!

I like these for various reasons. I never pay more than 30 dollars or so for one of these. I try and buy only up to 1950s tops.... Once years ago I bought a WW die and that cost me,,but was glad to pay it!

anyway,,here is the 3rd..

Saw these 2 photos of a cracked working die.... I own several dies and its usually the plain dies that are cracked/damaged..

With this die once rounded you could put anything you wanted on the cartouche or even engrave it!.....

Dies like this are usually inexpensive because they aren't useful anymore.. Die even from the 1920s that are still in good condition will sometimes go for big money because the right person would still be able to make rings/jewelry off it!!

IF I'm right about what this is ,,it'll be a nice addition to someone's collection.

- I believe this is a 1944 styleized Allied Airborn ring die:

Good condition and could probably be used to make rings after it would be checked/ Magnifluxed [x-rayed].

Heres another US Army die to check out..... The US usually went for the high school ring type! Hard to see from photo but this has a nice looking band............

Hello,

here's my little contribution to this very interesting thread.

First one is a die for a shield

Ric

Second one a die for a medal or something like that.

Ric

Ric,,, whats the translation on the first one??

Anything and everyone for victory

to win

Thank you sir very much!!

This was sold a while ago..

A working die for a Wound Badge 1st pattern ,,,,looks like stic pin to me [?]

Unfortunately, it was in 3 pieces. Still interesting if gotten for a good price..

had an email about the cost of old dies........


Well regular working dies from 20s / 30s you can sometimes get for $50. Same for a master as sometimes the seller is a clean out guy and doesn't know the difference...

IF you manage to find an authentic 3rd reich die of any kind it could very well be big money... And,you must be careful as with the WW die shown on pg.s 1&2. Real?, fake? the ring offered with it was fake! I've even seen people use a old die as a model to make a model for an investment cast!


I own 6 or 7 dies in various condition. I like to see [and buy IF inexpensive the broken examples] [ I know I'm weird ]... That WB die above,,if the price was right I'd get it in a min!
I only have one nazi die and it's a WW example. I've had it many years. One of the few things I might keep..



So good luck 'lurker' with buying a die. Only advice I can offer is,, one,,patience, and 2,,, to try and find one with an old date on it.........